David Mooney

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Dr. David Mooney is Assistant Professor of Jazz Studies (Guitar) at the University of North Texas. Prior to his appointment, he served as adjunct professor at the University of New Orleans and was an instructor at the New Orleans Center for Creative Arts.

Mooney has recorded seven CDs as a leader, and many others as a sideman. Hope of Home is his latest release, on Sunnyside Records, and features the talents of Brian Blade, Jon Cowherd, John Ellis, and Matt Clohesy, who also played on Mooney’s 2012 Sunnyside release Perrier St. In promotion of these CDs, Mooney has toured the US extensively, as well performed in Brazil, Mexico, Peru, Japan, and Myanmar.

He competed in the 2005 Thelonious Monk International Guitar Competition, placing third, and studied at the Thelonious Monk Institute of Jazz Performance from 2007 to 2009, under artistic director Terence Blanchard. The Monk group worked with many jazz legends—including Herbie Hancock, Wayne Shorter, Dee Dee Bridgewater, and Ron Carter—and toured Panama and India.

Mooney received his Master’s Degree from the University of New Orleans (his hometown) in 2005. Shortly thereafter (in the wake of Hurricane Katrina), he relocated to New York City, and began performing at clubs such as the 55 Bar, The Bar Next Door, The Blue Note, and Smalls. In 2006 he recorded a duo guitar CD with John Pizzarelli entitled Last Train Home. The year after, he recorded Astoriano, on the Japanese label LateSet Records.

Mooney graduated from UNT in 2001, and appeared on Lab 2001, with the One O’Clock Lab Band.

Mooney has also made the foray into the literary world by self-publishing two novels: his newest offering Annalee, and 2012’s Hometown Heroes.